Colombia
South America · Physician brief
Yellow fever certificate required for travel inside Colombia
Colombia enforces yellow fever certificate requirements not only at international entry but also for travel WITHIN the country. A valid certificate is required to enter any Natural National Park, and is enforced for anyone traveling by land or water through Colombian territory — including cars, buses, and boats. Children under 1 year, adults over 60, and travelers with a documented medical contraindication are exempt.
Yellow fever activity increased in 2025
Following a rise in yellow fever cases in 2025, the CDC has expanded the regions where vaccination is recommended. Vaccination is now medically advised for travel to Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena, and Medellín — previously considered lower-risk cities. Several major national parks (Tayrona, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Farallones de Cali, Chingaza) fall within high-risk areas.
San Andrés and Providencia now YF high-risk (June 2025)
Since June 2025, the Caribbean archipelago of San Andrés and Providencia has been officially designated a yellow fever high-risk area by Colombian health authorities. Vaccination is recommended for travel to these islands. Allow ≥10 days between vaccination and departure for protective immunity to develop.
Recent alerts
All alerts →Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every 2–5 years. Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites. Country List : Colombia, Samoa, Cook Islands (New Zealand), Mali, Vietnam, New Caledonia (France), Timor-Leste (East…
CDC Travel Health Notices · May 18, 2026
Vaccines
Disease-specific guidance
Malaria
ModerateMalaria risk in Colombia is geographically split: high in low-altitude Pacific coast and Amazon regions, moderate in transitional areas, and absent in Bogotá and major coastal cities (Cartagena, Medellín, San Andrés). Itinerary determines whether prophylaxis is needed. P. vivax predominates in most of the country, with P. falciparum more common in the Pacific coastal regions.
- High risk (<1700 m)
- Pacific coast: Chocó, Cauca, Nariño; Amazon basin departments
- High risk (continued)
- Parts of Antioquia, Bolívar, Córdoba, Risaralda; Guaviare; border with Venezuela/Brazil/Peru
- Moderate
- Lower areas of Antioquia, Bolívar, Caquetá, Cordoba, Meta, Putumayo, Valle del Cauca
- Low risk
- Rest of country below 1700 m
- No risk
- Bogotá, Cartagena, Medellín, San Andrés
- Predominant species
- P. vivax; P. falciparum on Pacific coast
- Prophylaxis
- AP or doxycycline for high-risk regions
- Standby treatment
- Consider for moderate-risk regions
Yellow fever
ModerateYellow fever is endemic across Colombia below 2500 m elevation. Following a 2025 surge in cases, CDC has expanded vaccination recommendations to include Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena, Medellín, and the San Andrés/Providencia archipelago. Several major national parks fall within high-risk areas. Vaccination is required not only for international entry under certain conditions but also for park entry and inland travel within Colombia.
- Vaccine
- Single dose, lifelong protection
- Timing
- ≥10 days before travel
- Recommended
- All areas <2500 m + San Andrés
- Cities (2025 expansion)
- Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena, Medellín
- Not needed
- >2500 m or Bogotá only
- Entry rule
- Required from Angola/DRC/Uganda; for park entry; for inland travel
- Parks at risk
- Tayrona, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Farallones de Cali, Chingaza
Dengue
HighDengue is endemic in Colombia with year-round transmission and outbreaks during the rainy season. Risk is highest in urban areas and below 1800 m elevation. All four serotypes circulate. Daytime mosquito protection is essential for every traveler — including those staying in cities with no malaria risk.
- Transmission
- Year-round, below 1800 m
- Vector
- Aedes aegypti — daytime biter
- Serotypes
- All 4 circulating
- Vaccine (Qdenga)
- Only if previously infected
Chikungunya
ModerateChikungunya is endemic in Colombia following the 2014–2015 outbreak, with continued background transmission and periodic flare-ups. Same Aedes mosquito vector as dengue. Joint pain can persist for months after acute infection. The IXCHIQ vaccine is considered for outbreak settings or extended stays in high-risk regions.
Zika
PresentZika circulates at low background levels across Colombia following the 2015–2016 epidemic. Pregnancy and pre-conception planning remain the key clinical concerns: pregnant women should avoid travel to Colombia, and couples should use condoms during travel and for 3 months after return.
General prevention
Food & water
Standard food and water precautions, particularly outside major cities and resort areas. Bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing teeth in rural regions and the Amazon. Tap water in Bogotá and Medellín is generally safe but bottled remains the safer choice for most travelers.
Mosquito protection
Strict mosquito-bite prevention is essential. Colombia has year-round transmission of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, plus malaria in low-altitude regions. Daytime-biting Aedes mosquitoes (dengue, Zika, chikungunya) require day protection; Anopheles (malaria) bite from dusk into the night. DEET 30%+ or picaridin 20%, long sleeves at peak biting times, screened or air-conditioned accommodation. Permethrin-treated clothing for any trip into the Amazon or Pacific coast.
Sources
Based on CDC Travelers’ Health, CDC Yellow Book, and the Swiss Federal Vaccination Schedule (BAG). Always verify current recommendations before travel.
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This brief is for informational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.
Consult a travel medicine specialist 4–8 weeks before departure.